New EU project launched to prototype large-scale high-value pan-European datasets

National providers of geospatial information in Europe have announced plans to create a prototype for harmonised large-scale, high-value pan-European open datasets called Open Maps For Europe 2 (OME2). The prototype will develop a new production process and technical specification for free-to-use, edge-matched data under a single open licence, with authoritative 1:10 000 scale data for 10 countries delivered via the user interface built by the Open Maps For Europe Project.

OME2 will provide three datasets, identified as key themes by users and defined as high-value in the European Commission’s implementing rules for the Open Data and reuse of Public Sector Information Directive – administrative boundaries, transport and hydrography. The project corresponds with member states’ obligations to implement high-value data and will be completed at the end of 2025. The OME2 project is co-funded by the European Union and delivered by a consortium comprising EuroGeographics, the National Geographic Institute (Belgium), the National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information (France), Hellenic Cadastre, General Directorate for the Cadastre (Spain), and Cadastre, Land Registry and Agency (The Netherlands).